Plato code set for Hollywood

A UNIVERSITY professor's remarkable discovery of secret codes in the works of Plato could be turned into a Hollywood movie.

When Dr Jay Kennedy uncovered hidden messages in the Greek philosopher's works it was described as something akin to a story out of Dan Brown's novel the Da Vinci Code.

And now a Hollywood film company has taken notice and started discussions with the academic about buying the film rights.

Since publishing his findings in a scientific journal, Dr Kennedy's life has become 'a whirlwind' with numerous television and radio interviews.

Dr Kennedy, who lives in Chorlton, Manchester, with wife Louisa and children John, eight, and Lily, 10, moved to Chorlton from San Francisco 10 years ago to work at Manchester University.

The historian found each of Plato's texts was divided into 12 equal parts by clusters of words linked to music - mirroring the 12 notes in the Greek musical scale.

He believes it shows Plato's beliefs on how science and religion were linked, with mathematics controlling the universe.

It was a dangerous assertion at a time when the Greek Gods were believed to be all powerful, hence the need for secrecy.

The remarkable findings have led to a talent scout from Hollywood's William Morris Agency being dispatched to Chorlton to meet Dr Kennedy about buying the rights to the story.

"Since my research was published it's been a whirlwind, a crazy week of interviews, but that was the icing on the cake," said Dr Kennedy, 52.

"I think they are interested in the story for a kind of Dan Brown-style film about how I cracked the code.

"But my wife just wants them to cast George Clooney as me so she can play herself and kiss him!"